Toy soldier and battlefield devices and targets

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide model devices and systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a model device comprising: a base portion; a first interchangeable portion; a second interchangeable portion, wherein the first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the base portion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled device comprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has a first stability and a second assembled device comprising the second interchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/652,167, filed May 26, 2012, which is herebyincorporated herein.

BACKGROUND

Toy soldiers, battlefield implements, and similar devices are commonsources of amusement for children and adults. These can be used in gamesof conquest and strategy, but are also useful in developing eye-handcoordination, developing tactical skills, and learning principles ofmovement and maneuvering. Children and adults can also learn thebenefits of and strategies for cooperation and competition.

Known toy soldiers and similar devices, however, suffer from a number ofdeficiencies that limit their usefulness and/or the duration of theirexpected utility. For example, rigid, sturdy devices, which maywithstand protracted or hard impacts, are typically not capable ofmodification, customization, or similar change. That is, modification,customization, etc. are typically sacrificed in favor of durability.

Other devices, which may be capable of modification, customization,etc., are typically less durable and subject to damage. Eventually, suchdamage will render the device unusable for its intended purpose.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a model device comprising: abase portion; a first interchangeable portion; a second interchangeableportion, wherein the first interchangeable portion and the secondinterchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the baseportion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled devicecomprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has afirst stability and a second assembled device comprising the secondinterchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a game system comprising:a plurality of model devices, at least one of the model devicescomprising: a base portion; a first interchangeable portion; a secondinterchangeable portion, wherein the first interchangeable portion andthe second interchangeable portion may be alternately positioned ontothe base portion to form an assembled device, such that a firstassembled device comprising the first interchangeable portion and thebase portion has a first stability and a second assembled devicecomprising the second interchangeable portion and the base portion has asecond stability; and a projectile device capable of overcoming thefirst stability and the second stability, thereby toppling the at leastone model device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of embodiments of the invention will be morereadily understood from the following detailed description of thevarious aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention,in which:

FIGS. 1-3 show templates for model devices according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show assembled model devices according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 shows an assembled model device in relation to a projectiledevice according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a plurality of assembled model devices, several of whichare impacted by a projectile device, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

It is noted that the drawings are not to scale and are intended todepict only typical aspects of the invention. The drawings should not,therefore, be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a template for a model device including a base portion(horse and platform) and an interchangeable portion (rider). FIG. 2shows a template for three interchangeable portions (riders), each ofwhich may be combined to form an assembled device. Each assembled devicehas substantially the same stability. That is, each of the threeinterchangeable portions may be alternately combined with the baseportion without substantively changing the stability of the assembleddevice. FIG. 1 also shows a plurality of detail portions, one or more ofwhich may be attached to the base portion and/or an interchangeableportion in order to customize the assembled device without substantiallyaltering the stability of the assembled device.

In addition to portions being interchangeable, other portions of modeldevices according to various embodiments of the invention may also bemodified, adjusted, their positions and/or orientations changed, etc. Aswith interchangeable portions, such modification, adjustment, etc.results in substantially no change in the stability of the assembledmodel device.

Base portions and interchangeable portions of model devices according toembodiments of the invention may be formed from cardboard, wood,plastic, or similar materials capable of withstanding impact from aprojectile. In some embodiments, where the base portion and aninterchangeable portion are formed from plastic, each may includecomplementary features for fixedly or non-fixedly attaching the baseportion and the interchangeable portion.

FIG. 3 shows a template of components of another model device, includinga base portion (platform) and a plurality interchangeable portions(soldiers). Again, the template of FIG. 3 also includes a plurality ofdetail portions for attachment to the interchangeable portions.

FIG. 4 shows a plurality of assembled devices, each comprising a baseportion (platform) and interchangeable portion (soldiers). Eachassembled device has substantially the same stability. As used herein,the term “stability” is meant to refer to a resistance to being toppledby application of an external force, such as that imparted by aprojectile. As can be seen in FIG. 4, each assembled device has beencustomized with various detail portions. Interchangeable portions mayalso be painted or otherwise colored, as a user sees fit.

FIG. 5 shows a pair of assembled devices, each comprising a base portion(platform and horse) and an interchangeable portion (rider). Again, eachassembled device has substantially the same stability. As can be seen inFIG. 1 and should be apparent to one skilled in the art, one or morecomponents of the base portion may also be interchangeable. For example,in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the horse may be interchangeable, inaddition to the rider. As noted above with respect to theinterchangeable portion, in the case that a component of the baseportion is instead or also interchanged, the stability of the assembleddevice should not be substantially altered.

It should be noted that while the various embodiments of the inventiondescribed above describe a first and second interchangeable portion, anynumber of interchangeable portions may be employed. In addition, someembodiments of the invention may include groups of interchangeableportions, with a first group of interchangeable portions imparting afirst stability to an assembled device and a second group ofinterchangeable portions imparting a second stability to the assembleddevice, wherein the first and second stabilities are different. Forexample, an assembled model device may be considered to have a firststability when assembled with interchangeable portions of the firstgroup and considered to have a second stability (less than or greaterthan the first stability) when assembled with interchangeable portionsof the second group.

FIG. 6 shows an assembled device comprising a base portion (platform)and interchangeable portion (soldier) in relation to a projectile deviceas may be used to impart an external force to the assembled device in anattempt to topple it. Here, the projectile device is a rubber ball. Oneskilled in the art will recognize, however, that other projectiledevices may be used. Suitable projectile devices include, for example, adart. In some cases, the projectile device may be operable to deliver aquantity of air under force or pressure.

FIG. 7 shows a plurality of model devices according to variousembodiments of the invention as they might be assembled on a floor ortabletop, with a projectile device (rubber ball) impacting several ofthe plurality of model devices.

Some embodiments of the invention may be useful, for example, inimproving eye-hand coordination of a user through not only the variousstrategy and battle games that may be played but also, for example,through the assembly, modification, etc. of model devices.

One skilled in the art will understand, from the description above, thevarious methods and techniques that may be employed in using modeldevices according to embodiments of the invention. For example, aplurality of model devices according to embodiments of the invention maybe employed in a game of strategy or in the re-enactment of a historicbattle.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A model device comprising: a base portion; afirst interchangeable portion; a second interchangeable portion, whereinthe first interchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portionmay be alternately positioned onto the base portion to form an assembleddevice, such that a first assembled device comprising the firstinterchangeable portion and the base portion has a first stability and asecond assembled device comprising the second interchangeable portionand the base portion has a second stability.
 2. The model device ofclaim 1, wherein the base portion may be fixedly attached to either thefirst interchangeable portion or the second interchangeable portion. 3.The model device of claim 1, wherein the base portion includes a featureand each of the first interchangeable portion and the secondinterchangeable portion includes a complementary feature, by which thebase portion and either the first interchangeable portion or the secondinterchangeable portion may be attached.
 4. The model device of claim 1,wherein the first stability and the second stability are substantiallythe same.
 5. The model device of claim 1, wherein the first stabilityand the second stability are different.
 6. The model device of claim 1,further comprising: a detail portion for fixed or non-fixed attachmentto at least one of the first interchangeable portion and the secondinterchangeable portion.
 7. A game system comprising: a plurality ofmodel devices, at least one of the model devices comprising: a baseportion; a first interchangeable portion; a second interchangeableportion, wherein the first interchangeable portion and the secondinterchangeable portion may be alternately positioned onto the baseportion to form an assembled device, such that a first assembled devicecomprising the first interchangeable portion and the base portion has afirst stability and a second assembled device comprising the secondinterchangeable portion and the base portion has a second stability; anda projectile device capable of overcoming the first stability and thesecond stability, thereby toppling the at least one model device.
 8. Thegame system of claim 7, wherein the first stability and the secondstability are substantially the same.
 9. The game system of claim 7,wherein the first stability and the second stability are different. 10.The game system of claim 7, further comprising: a detail portion forfixed or non-fixed attachment to at least one of the firstinterchangeable portion and the second interchangeable portion.